ESTHER WINDISCH

Esther Thekla Wilhelmina Niermann Windisch, 90, passed away at home Wednesday, June 6, 2001, at 12:28 p.m., as the Lord called her home.

She made her home with her daughter, Ranata Windisch, and her daughter and son-in-law, Esther and Ron Gray.

Mrs. Windisch was born March 23, 1911, in New Orleans, daughter of the Rev. Karl and Cora Alice Georg Niermann. She and Oscar William Windisch were married May 16, 1940, in Warrenton, Mo. They resided in Cape Girardeau 60 years. Their union was blessed with four children. Mr. Windisch died Jan. 25, 1988.

She received an A.A. degree in nursing in 1933 from the Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in St. Louis.

Loving survivors include a sister, Irene Niermann Kuebler; a son, Kenneth Oscar Windisch and wife Jane Volkerding Windisch; three daughters, Mrs. Ron L. (Esther) Gray, Mrs. David M. (Carolyn) Gaither, and Ranata Windisch, all of Cape Girardeau; nine grandchildren, Connie Windisch, Chad Windisch of Cape Girardeau, Mrs. Tami Windisch Froggatt and husband Jimmy of Racine, Wis., Gary Gray and wife Julie of Herrin, Ill., Sean Gray and wife Mary of Whitewater, Mo., Brian Gray and wife Joanna of Cape Girardeau, Mrs. Angel Gray Niswonger and husband Jaime of Lees Summit, Mo., Quentin Gaither and wife Karen, and Mrs. Carmella Gaither Eudy and husband Ernie of Cape Girardeau.

Also surviving are 16 great-grandchildren, Amanda Nichole Lawton, Ryan Taylor Lawton, Amber Renee Froggatt, Megan Lynndale Gray, Max Lynndale Gray, Micayla Colleen Gray, Jessica Mae Gray, Brianna Marie Gray, Joseph Allen Gray, Colten Kieth Niswonger, Rachel Erin Niswonger, Braden Lynn Niswonger, Cody Michael Gaither, Nicole Elizabeth Gaither, Tristen Denise Lipps and Terrence Wayne Lipps.

Mrs. Windisch was preceded in death by two brothers, the Rev. Henry Niermann and Hugo Niermann; two sisters, Lydia Niermann Flucken and Hulda Niermann.

She was a charter member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel since 1967. During her nursing career Mrs. Windisch worked as a charge nurse at Southeast Missouri Hospital. After many years of service she retired in 1974.

Pallbearers will be Chad Windisch, Gary Gray, Sean Gray, Brian Gray, Quentin Gaither and Jaime Niswonger. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Wilhite, Pat Patrick, Tote Windisch, Wayne Windisch, Ernie Eudy, Denny Lipps, Bob Windisch, David Gaither and Ron Gray.

Visitation will be at Ford and Sons Mt. Auburn Chapel from 5-8 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel. The Rev. Barry Pfanstiel will officiate. Burial will be in Cape County Memorial Park.

The family has requested that memorials be in the form of donations to Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel or American Cancer Society.